This blog is dedicated to Disney's Aladdin: Broadway's New Musical Comdey. Following a successful Pilot Production at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre in 2011, and regional and international productions in 2012, Disney announced that Aladdin would be coming to Broadway in 2014. Aladdin had it's pre-Broadway engagement at Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theatre and opened on Broadway 20th March 2014.

Saturday, 19 March 2016

Aladdin Musical News 2016 (3)

Welcome to the third news round up post of 2016!

Plenty is happening in the magical world of Agrabah at the moment with Aladdin's original Broadway cast celebrating 2 years on Broadway tomorrow and the new London cast due to start rehearsing in less than a month!

Firstly, this should come as no surprise as we're past the end of the previous contracts but it's nice to have it officially confirmed - Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Courtney Reed (Jasmine), James Monroe Iglehart (Genie), Jonathan Freeman (Jafar), Don Darryl Rivera (Iago), Brian Gonzales (Babkak) and Clifton Davis (Sultan) have all extended their contacts for another year! These seven stars, who have all been with the show since it opened on Broadway, will now be in the show until at least February 19th 2017!

"We're privileged to be in the rare position of having seven of our original stars continue in Aladdin. Adam, Jonathan, James, Courtney, Brian and Don Darryl have been an integral part of Aladdin since its journey to stage began, and I am thrilled that they, along with Clifton Davis who joined us in Toronto, will continue delighting audiences at The New Amsterdam Theatre for another year."
Thomas Schumacher, President and Producer of Disney Theatrical Productions

Steel Burkhardt (Kassim) and James Moye (Stand By Jafar/Sultan) have also extended their contracts for another year, with Brad Weinstock (Omar) and Major Attaway (Stand By Genie/Babkak/Sultan) joining the cast last month.

I am so happy that the original cast are continuing for another year! They are absolutely amazing and simply embody these characters now. I can't wait to see them again later this year! Keep making magic everyone!!

This extra special rendition of Aladdin's show stopping production number should air on The Today Show on March 20th as part of Aladdin's anniversary celebration!

As part of the show's second anniversary celebrations Broadway.com has posted an incredible behind the scenes look at just what goes on behind the curtain to get Aladdin ready to go every night! This is a fantastic video, it perfectly captures the energy and excitement that you feel before the curtain rises and the show begins so make sure you check it out!

It's been a while since I've found a new review of the show but I just had to share this review from The National. I just love that final paragraph - "a great storyteller is someone who puts in a touch of magic, passion and a whole load of hard work to bring a story to life"Aladdin Broadway - Cast News
Ok, this is huge and I probably should have given it it's own post but...

JAMES MONROE IGLEHART IS GONNA BE IN TANGLED: BEFORE EVER AFTER!!!!!

Sorry, got carried away!

Yes, James (along with a whole host of other Broadway stars, including Newsies' Jeremy Jordan) will be lending his voice to the series due to premiere on Disney Channel next year! In the series set after the film (but before the short Tangled Ever After) James will be voicing Eugene's friend Lance Strongbow!

The show will be featuring new songs by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater (so if Galavant doesn't get that third season we can still look forward to weekly Menken/Slater songs!) so keep your fingers crossed that James will get to show off his incredible vocals on TV!

I really can't wait for this!! But I do want to know how Rapunzel got her hair back...

If you want to get in Broadway shape then make sure check out Khori Petinaud's new website Fly Wheel Sports! The cast of Aladdin is in crazy good shape and with her classes you can be too!
And make sure you check out Aladdin's Giuseppe Bausilio's YouTube covers of "Pour Some on Me", and "Twist and Shout".

You can also ask him your questions on AskFM! There's some great ones on there, including some about Aladdin. Plus if you missed it live you can now listen to WPKN's interview with Giuseppe right here. Giuseppe is in the show until 27th March so catch him while you can!Aladdin Broadway - Creative Team News
The World Premiere of Alan Menken and Glenn Slater's latest musical A Bronx Tale at the Paper Mill Playhouse was a great success (they even added an extra night!) and received some fantastic reviews. Here's a small sampling of the reviews;

Earlier this week a host of Disney Theatrical stars gathered for the Theatre Development Fund's gala in honour of Disney Theatrical's President and Producer Thomas Schumacher! The stars included Broadway's original Aladdin, Adam Jacobs, Broadway's original Mary Poppins, Ashley Brown, and an international gathering of Genies as James Monroe Iglehart, Trevor Dion Nicholas, Michael James Scott and Major Attaway performed a special rendition of "Friend Like Me";

We're less than a month away from the official start of Aladdin's London rehearsals and I can literally feel the excitement building! I say official start because the cast are already tweeting about tap rehearsals, costume fittings and more so get following them!

But if you can't wait a month (and I don't blame you!) then you can catch Aladdin himself, Dean John-Wilson, Miss Atomic Bomb at London's St. James Theatre! The show officially opened this week and is playing through to 9th April so you've still plenty of time to catch Dean before he hops on that magic carpet to Agrabah!

You can check out some production photos and behind the scenes videos right here at the show's website and here's a sample of what the critics are saying;

West End Frame also caught up with Dean after the press launch to talk about Miss Atomic Bomb and Aladdin. Just reading Dean's reaction to getting the role is incredible, I really can't wait to see him in it and see what he does with it.

What's a Genie to do in a new city? Join Trevor Dion Nicholas on a quick trip around London!

And London was just the start of Trevor's recent travels! Between Broadway and London he's even found time to visit a fellow Genie in Japan!

West End Meets Tokyo! Photo by Trevor Dion Nicholas

Marsha Songcome is no stranger to the Prince Edward Theatre having just completed her run as Gigi in Miss Saigon. If you missed her there then make sure you catch her in this rendition of "Take Me or Leave Me"from the Miss Saigon at the Hippodrome concert event!

Aladdin's Mitch Leow has just launched his new website so make sure you check it out right here! Those aerial photos are incredible!

And finally - it's been confirmed that Aladdin will be offering a daily ticket lottery once the show has officially opened (so from 16th June). Tickets will be £25 and the draw will be held two hours before each performance, winners will be able to purchase up to two tickets each in cash. So if the show you want is sold out then make a wish, say a prayer and join the lottery for your chance to grab some amazing last minute seats to this incredible show!

Other Disney Stuff!

Everything is awesome! Especially these new Disney Lego Mini Figures due out later this year!!

Also looking back at Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular, Mouse Planet shares their memories of the show. Frozen - Live at the Hyperion has some big shoes to fill but it also has a fantastic writer, I can't wait to see what Chad Beguelin comes up with. Hopefully I'll get chance to see this one live one day!